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Post by Les on Apr 13, 2016 7:33:15 GMT
The Wig and Gown in Week Street has now long since closed. This was a fabulous old venue for all sorts of dances, clubs and general drinking. It was also popular with commuters leaving the East Station, where many a weary traveller would have wet his whistle.
As a musician this was one of my first venues, not a particularly good performance on my part but as the earlier musician was rubbish I went down a storm.
This public house in week Street was also popular with the Irish contingency that had attended Mass in St. Francis and leaving feeling suitably absolved decided to imbibe. I love the Irish, I love the way they talk and I love the happy go lucky attitude they have which we English find so hard to emulate.
The Victoria
Opposite St. Francis was another public house called “The Vic”, this was a huge pub, if you look at it you will see what I mean.
Gilberts Toy and Cycle shop
Next to the church was Gilberts I bet you lads remember this one, a lovely toyshop showing the entire range of Dinky Toys and Hornby trains. I must have spent an hour or two looking in there. The second window of Gilberts was devoted to all things cycling, bikes spare etc.
Although I can remember many of the shops in Week Street, I am only listing those that I particularly liked and used.
The London Tavern This was a Maidstone pub that everyone knew and used at some time. They enjoyed live music on weekends and I think some nights in the week. The times I have stood in there innocently drinking when a fight would break out and glasses thrown down, as were people in the way. The Black Maria would turn up and take the culprits away but not for long, just long enough for them to return the following week. I played in various bands in this pub on many occasions.
Would someone please tell me the name of the small man who did a party trick, dancing with a pint of beer on his head? Thinking back, he did it every week and to my recollection never spilt a drop. Is that clever or is that clever. ---------------------------------------------------
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Post by Les on Aug 9, 2016 6:52:13 GMT
I Remember by the Wig and Gown a row of wooden shops,they are still there but empty The first was a Post Office. Kent Messenger printing Works. Gilbers toy shop De Markos ice cream parlor not sure what or weather the there was a little shop in between them .
Next to the London Tavern was Daley estate agent,An Indian Restaurant,Then 4 shops built back until Brewer St the first was a men cloth shop ,the end one a Chemist as it is now.
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hoolig
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Post by hoolig on Aug 9, 2016 10:37:25 GMT
Gilbers toy shop Gilberts was not a toy shop, it sold and repaired Bicycles. I work there when I was 14. Hoolig I did Firewatching with two adults on the roof of the Catholic church next door we were paid 3 shillings a night
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Post by Les on Aug 10, 2016 6:45:57 GMT
Gilbers toy shop Gilberts was not a toy shop, it sold and repaired Bicycles. I work there when I was 14. Hoolig I did Firewatching with two adults on the roof of the Catholic church next door we were paid 3 shillings a night Gilbert's sold toy's as well in the window there was a model train running in the window display.
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Post by Les on Aug 10, 2016 7:50:33 GMT
Next to the Kent Messenger was a cafe a news agent's a few more shops with Times furniture on the end. Then The West Kent Hotel.not sure till the corner of St Faith Street on the corner Moss Bross the other side of St Faith Dunnings, a Church ,a bakers,few more shops til the Cheese and Grill.a butchers and Hepworths
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hoolig
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Post by hoolig on Aug 10, 2016 10:55:42 GMT
Gilbert's sold toy's as well in the window there was a model train running in the window display. What year was that ? Incidentally why do you log of posters so quickly ?
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Post by Les on Aug 11, 2016 5:21:49 GMT
Gilbert's sold toy's as well in the window there was a model train running in the window display. What year was that ? Incidentally why do you log of posters so quickly ? I was born in 1945 and live in Hardy Street till I was 7 and so we would walk past there so would be around 1950/3 not sure what you mean 'Log of Posters'
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hoolig
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Post by hoolig on Aug 11, 2016 6:08:37 GMT
What year was that ? Incidentally why do you log of posters so quickly ? I was born in 1945 and live in Hardy Street till I was 7 and so we would walk past there so would be around 1950/3 not sure what you mean 'Log of Posters' I worked in Gilberts in 1940 Log off Posters ? why can't I stay logged on
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Post by Les on Aug 12, 2016 4:35:07 GMT
I was born in 1945 and live in Hardy Street till I was 7 and so we would walk past there so would be around 1950/3 not sure what you mean 'Log of Posters' I worked in Gilberts in 1940 Maybe the Toy's came later . Log off Posters ? why can't I stay logged on I don't know will ask Proboards
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Post by brendanh on Jun 2, 2020 19:26:36 GMT
I think the little man dancing with a pint of beer balanced on his head in the London Tavern was (nick)named Elvis. I'd forgotten all about him until I read your post. I'd see him around in the mid 70's although I imagine his history of boozing in the Tavern went well back in time. He'd usually be wearing a suit and tie and although a seemingly permanent fixture he'd always be on his own.
I suppose looking back I'm impressed that such a harmless eccentric was left to get on with it in peace as I remember this pub could be quite a volatile place to go to for a drink, as you pointed out.
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